Melbourne Zoo

Kids are free on weekends, VIC public holidays & VIC school holidays

Come to Melbourne Zoo for a great day out with your friends and family. Come on the weekend or during Victorian school holidays as children are FREE!

Opened in 1862, Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo in Australia. Today, the zoo is attended by millions of visitors each year and also hosts school excursions, weddings, corporate functions and outdoor concerts.

Melbourne Zoo Entry Fee Prices, Tickets, Address Map & Opening Hours

Melbourne Zoo is proud to have more than two hundred and fifty species living within its walls; many of which are in breeding programs to re-introduce them into the wild.

Melbourne Zoo has an number of excellent permanent exhibits including the Elephant Walk, the Butterfly House and Orangutan Sanctuary. There is also an African Savannah featuring zebras and antelope, an Australian Outback featuring kangaroos and koalas as well as a Lion Park featuring pride of lions.

The Wild Sea is a wonderful exhibit designed to show off the fantastic coastal environment and sea creatures that call Victoria home. Visitors will see lots of seals and fairy penguins within this exhibit. Make sure you check out the show schedule as zoo keepers run a number of scheduled seal shows throughout the day aimed at education and conservation.

If you are visiting Melbourne in summer, make sure you check out the Zoo Twilight schedule where there are many outdoor concerts held on the weekends inside the zoo after dark. Patrons can wander around the zoo during the twilight hours before settling down for a picnic on the main lawn and listening to some exciting live music.

Located just 4 kilometres from the city, Melbourne Zoo is easily accessible via public transport:

TRAM: Catch the #55 tram which runs from William Street and stops directly outside Melbourne Zoo.

TRAIN: Catch an Upfield train from the CBD and alight at Royal Park Station.

BUS: Catch the #505 bus from Moonee Ponds to Melbourne University which stops outside Melbourne Zoo.

Each season brings a new exhibit to Melbourne Zoo, so you will have to return often to experience all that it has to offer. Click the link below to buy your Melbourne Zoo entry tickets today and save!

Yes, companion cards are accepted for entry into the Melbourne Zoo. There is free entry for carers accompanying a person with a disability who is a holder of a Child Disability Allowance Health Care Card, a Disability Pension Card or a Companion Card.

You can purchase your tickets here. You do not need to purchase a ticket for the carer. Also note that kids are free on the weekends, so make sure to select the $0.00 admission option for kids if going on Sat or Sun.

It is not necessary that you book, however if attending on the weekends or during school holidays, the lines for ticket purchase can get quite long. If you have pre-purchased your tickets, there is generally a separate lane so you can skip the huge queues.

From the city, you can get to the Melbourne Zoo via public transport in the following ways:
TRAM: Catch the #55 tram which runs from William Street and stops directly outside Melbourne Zoo.
TRAIN: Catch an Upfield train from the CBD and alight at Royal Park Station.
BUS: Catch the #505 bus from Moonee Ponds to Melbourne University which stops outside Melbourne Zoo.

There are 12 lawns located throughout the zoo, most with shady areas which are perfect for a picnic. You won’t find BBQ facilities here, so most people bring a cold lunch to enjoy on the lawns.

If you are just organising a casual get together, a great spot to meet is near the Reptile Centre (near the rear entry of the park). There are large sprawling lawns as well as undercover gazebos which give some shelter on a cool or windy day. You can also bring your own picnic rug or chairs (although a rug may be preferable as otherwise you will need to carry chairs around with you all day).

There are no special discounts for international students, however you will be eligible for the same pricing as Australian residents. Children under 15yrs are free on the weekends or if your child is over 15yrs, have them present their student card for a concession priced ticket.

It is only 2.2kms away. Certainly within walking distance for an adult.

If you have little ones walking with you you may wish to catch a tram. The #55 tram stops out the front of the Royal Children’s Hospital (stop 19) and will take you right to the zoo entrance (stop 25). Here is a link to the PDF tram route.